New Zealand 28 day tour

This is a suggested 28 day tour covering both islands of New Zealand. I suggest a rental car to get the most out of your time in the country. There is no need to pay for the car ferry between the North and South Islands, just drop off one side and book another car on the other side. You can just travel as a passenger on the Interisland Ferry and enjoy the views.

I am a great believer in booking as much for a holiday as I can before hand. I see so many people arrive somewhere without any accommodation and then having to waste time finding somewhere that suits them, their budget and that has a vacancy. This time could be better spent enjoying the scenery or relaxing. Just cut out the stress.

On the table below you can click through to accommodation options on all of the suggested night stops. There are a few places with a longer stay so just mix and match where you go and stay to suit the holiday that you would like. The driving time are approximate and can vary due to traffic, (not a big problem outside of the big cities), road conditions and the number of times you stop to take photographs!

This extensive itinerary provides a total view of New Zealand, and takes in all the most significant sights and attractions. In the North Island you’ll discover beautiful beaches, kauri forests, caves and phenomenal geothermal activity. In the South Island the emphasis is on grand mountain scenery, adventure activities, historic architecture and wildlife encounters. Throughout the country there are vineyards and inspired restaurants to discover, while the cities present you with cultural entertainments and the chance to buy quality, locally-made clothing, art works and home wares. By the end of your holiday, you’ll know New Zealand from top to toe.

Day	Accommodation	Activities	Travel
1	Waiheke Island	Arrive Auckland, Rest up on Waiheke Island after your flight	35 minute ferry trip
2	Auckland	Auckland Sightseeing	No driving just 35 minute ferry trip
3	Bay of Islands	Pick up Rental Car	4 hours
4	Bay of Islands	Sightseeing	Car or boat your choice
5	Auckland	Sightseeing	4 hours
6	Auckland	Sightseeing	Car, bus, ferry, walk, your choice
7	Waitomo	Glow Worm Caves, stay the night or carry on to Rotorua	4 hours
8	Rotorua	Thermal Action	4 hours
9	Rotorua	Thermal Action	Sightseeing
10	Taupo	Sightseeing, stay the night or carry on to Napier	1.5 hours
11	Napier	Wine Country	3 hours
12	Napier	Wine Country, stay second night or carry on to Wellington	Sightseeing
13	Wellington	Sightseeing longer drive today	6 hours
14	Wellington	Sightseeing	Sightseeing
15	Picton	Marlborough Sounds what a beautiful cruise	5 hour ferry trip
16	Christchurch	Driving, maybe enough time to visit Kaikoura	6 hours
17	Christchurch	Sightseeing Parks, Gardens, Artic Centre	Sightseeing - Maybe visit Akaroa
18	Mt Cook	Mountains and Glaciers	4.5 hours
19	Wanaka	Lakes and Mountains	3 hours
20	Queenstown	Adventure, Jet Boating, Bungy Jumping	2.5 hours
21	Queenstown	Day trip to Milford Sound	Sightseeing
22	Queenstown	Plenty to do and see	Sightseeing
23	Franz Joseph / Fox	Driving and sightseeing through the beautiful mountains	7.5 hours
24	Franz Joseph / Fox	Glaciers, Helicopter trips	Sightseeing
25	Greymouth	Old gold mining region	3.5 hours
26	Nelson	Sightseeing - Arts and food	6 hours
27	Blenheim	Wine Country	2.5 hours
28	Auckland	Sightseeing and stay near the airport	Fly to Auckland from Blenheim

	New Zealand 28 day tour
	A suggested 28 day tour covering the main tourist attractions of both islands

OUR TOP FIVE NEW ZEALAND DESTINATIONS
Auckland	Rotorua	Queenstown	Christchurch	Wellington